US demining team to collaborate with SLA in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 21 July 2003, 19:39 GMT]The US de-mining team RONCO is to recommence its de-mining work in the Jaffna district with effect from August 15 in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Army, team leader Mr.Don Smith told TamilNet Monday.

The RONCO team came to work in Jaffna under an emergency assistance scheme to de-mine the district. The team brought well-trained Mozambique de-miners to
Jaffna, as there were no locally trained personnel, said Mr. Smith.

Ronco team leader Mr. Don Smith

Mr. Smith said that the RONCO team members will return to their countries shortly. However, "RONCO will recommence its mission in Jaffna with effect from August 15 only in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Army. Future services to Sri Lanka would be in the form of training or advice."

According to Mr. Smith, the members of the RONCO destroyed anti-personal
mines and other explosives they removed from Jaffna soil, and they were able to identify the areas where anti-personal mines and explosives were buried with the assistance of sniffer dogs and trained personnel.

The RONCO team leader said that he hoped that people could return to their lands now declared free of mines without any fear of buried anti-personal mines and other explosives.